UK: How to Get Ahead In … Library Services, Lean About a New Pilot Project

From The Guardian:

A pilot scheme will help connect visitors to digital information that could change their lives – and a new national library service.
Local library staff are being trained to show customers how to access potentially life-changing advice and information online in a pilot scheme which could create a new national library service.
Sixty libraries have been recruited to eight pilot projects looking at how libraries can direct library users to quality internet advice and information about finding a job, changing career or keeping healthy.
Where a library user can go to discover online support about welfare benefits or personal finance is also being tested as part of the initiative set up by the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and funded by the Arts Council.
The pilots, which focus on identifying high quality internet sites as well as developing the staff training package needed to deliver the service, are due to end at the end of March.

Read the Complete Article
See Also: Arts Council England opens consultation on the libraries of the future (Feb. 21, 2012)
See Also: Libraries Development Initiative Funded Projects (.XLS)
13 programs are listed including one looking at digital marketing and another re: library/publishing partnerships.

Filed under: Libraries, National Libraries, Patrons and Users, Publishing